As so many opponents have found out in his four years as Clinton’s starting quarterback, you can’t really stop Cam Akers. You can only hope to contain him.

That includes Warren Central, which has done a better job than most of limiting the damage the five-star recruit can do.

In 2015, Akers completed 18 of 22 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown, and added 72 yards and a TD on the ground, but he was injured on Clinton’s final drive of the game. Instead of one more big play, it settled for a long field goal attempt that was missed, allowing Warren Central to escape with a 28-26 victory.

In October, Akers threw for 283 yards and a touchdown and ran for 136 yards and a TD against the Vikings. He also threw an interception and fumbled twice as WC won 50-32.

Now the Vikings need to do it one more time, in the biggest game of Akers’ career. Clinton (11-1) will play at Warren Central (10-2) Friday night in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. Clinton is looking for its first trip to the semifinals since 2004, and Warren Central since 1994.

Which team is able to break its drought will likely be determined by the adjustments each has made since their last encounter — whether Akers can solve the WC defense, or whether the defense can continue to solve Akers.

“No doubt he’s a good player,” Warren Central cornerback Shakee Shaw said. “But one person can’t beat the whole team. So if we do our job and keep him contained, the rest will fall into place.”

Clinton has a lot more weapons than just Akers. Running back Darius Maberry has rushed for 938 yards and 14 touchdowns, and there are four wide receivers with at least 19 receptions and 396 yards.

Containing them is important, but it all starts with Akers.

Warren Central had success in their first meeting this season by keeping Akers in the pocket and limiting his effectiveness on the run. The two first-half fumbles were both on strip sacks, and most of his yardage came in the second half as the Arrows tried to rally from a 30-3 deficit.

Warren Central coach Josh Morgan laughed when asked how his team has been able to have so much success against the state’s best player.

“I’m not going to tell you that,” Morgan said with a sly grin, before exposing a one secret. “We played really good team defense. Everybody did their job. We made a point to run to the football, and our offense did a good job of getting out to an early lead.”

Clinton has scored at least 28 points in all 12 of its games this season. It is averaging 45 points and 502 yards per game.

Although it ended up with 32 points against Warren Central in October, the three it scored in the first half was a season low. The Arrows put up four touchdowns in the second half and got as close as 30-17 before Warren Central regained control.

Remembering the Arrows’ quick-strike capability and not getting rattled if they do make a big play is another key to success, Morgan said.

“They’re going to get yards and score points. What we have to focus on is making timely stops and getting off the field. We’re not worried about stats,” Morgan said. “It’s that bend but don’t break mindset. They don’t get any points until they cross the white line. We understand they’re going to do some good things. We just have to get off the field on third down.”

A good week of preparation and film study is also vital, and that was something Morgan harped on in team meetings this week. He didn’t have to go far into the tape of the October game to show how it can pay off.

In their 2015 game, Clinton ran a trick play on its first offensive series. When it did it again in 2016 by attempting a reverse pass on its first snap, the Vikings had it scouted out and came up with an interception. Warren Central had already scored, and converted the turnover into another touchdown for a quick 14-0 lead.

Proper prior planning prevents poor performance, and the Vikings were intent on planning properly this week.

“It’ll be tougher because they know what we’re capable of doing,” quarterback Jesse Wilson said. “They’re going to come with all they’ve got, and we’re going to give them all we’ve got. It just goes back to film and study. Mental reps. Go into the game and give it your all.”

CLINTON AT WARREN CENTRAL
Class 6A playoffs, 2nd round
Friday, 7 p.m.; Radio: 105.5 FM
Online: For live updates, follow us at twitter.com/vixpostsports and facebook.com/thevicksburgpost
Tickets are $8 and available in advance at Warren Central High School and the Vicksburg Warren School District athletic office on Mission 66.